LOUISVILLE BALLET

Louisville’s professional ballet company and the State Ballet of Kentucky presents world class performances September through April – including the annual holiday favorite The Brown-Forman Nutcracker – and an intimate Studio Series that invites patrons to our rehearsal studio to watch our artists up close and personal.

From classic ballets such as Cinderella and Swan Lake to commissioned works by nationally renowned choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Adam Hougland and Val Caniporali, the Louisville Ballet makes a conscious effort to offer programming that will reach a diverse group of people.

Since our humble beginnings as a civic ballet company in 1952, the Louisville Ballet has become one of the most well-respected regional ballet companies in the country. Now celebrating more than six decades, we are the seventh oldest ballet company in the United States. In 1978 Alun Jones became Louisville Ballet’s Artistic Director, a position he held until his retirement in 2002. Bruce Simpson took the helm as the Artistic Director of the Company and the Louisville Ballet School in 2002 bringing over 30 years of experience in the international ballet world. Under the direction of Mr. Simpson, the Company has commissioned fifteen of its 70 world-premieres from choreographers including Helen Pickett, Adam Hougland, Amy Seiwert, Graham Lustig and Val Caniparoli. Mr. Simpson retired in 2014 leaving behind a successful tenure.

The Louisville Ballet studios are located on East Main Street in downtown Louisville. This $2.2-million facility, built in 1995, consists of a modern, warehouse-inspired building that houses two large rehearsal studios, the Company’s costume shop and wardrobe storage, and administrative offices.

Through the dedication of its dancers, staff, school faculty and board of directors, the Company continues to enrich the Louisville and surrounding community.